Debts Should also be Considered in the Money-Happiness Equation

There has been a lot of research looking at whether and how income
makes people happy in life, but few studies have examined whether debt
can detract from happiness.

Debts Should also be Considered in the Money-Happiness Equation

Yes, money can lead to happiness, but how much debt one has should
also be considered in the money-happiness equation, suggested a new a
study from Purdue University.

‘Yes, money can lead to happiness, but how much debt one has should also be considered in the money-happiness equation, suggested a new a study.’

"We found that carrying student loan debt is
almost as important as income in predicting financial worry and life
satisfaction," said Louis Tay, an assistant professor of psychological
sciences, who studies the effects of income and money on happiness.

The study's results are published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
The survey results are from the Gallup-Purdue Index, which provides a
measure of how college graduates are doing on five key dimensions of
well-being: purpose, social, physical, financial and community. Tay also
is member of the committee evaluating results of the ongoing survey.

An online college alumni sample of 2,781 individuals from the United
States was used in Tay's study. On average, these individuals graduated
from college in 2008 and had been paying student loans for at least
seven years. In addition to demographic data, Tay's analysis looked at
the relationships between average household income, student loan amount,
life satisfaction and financial worry.

"We always think about how much income you can earn, but the reality
is you can't guarantee what you will earn post-college," Tay said.
"There is a lot in the news about reducing, balancing or managing
college student debt, and this study shows the burden it can take on
one's life for the long term."

Personal and household debt is a concern for many Americans. The
Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimates that household debt has
increased from $8.29 trillion in 2004 to $12.29 trillion in 2016.

Tay said future studies will need to look at other sources of debt
as well as the role of "good" debt vs. "bad" debt, among the various
kinds of debt, such as a mortgage, student loans or credit cards.

"How student loans are categorized for the long-term would be
interesting," Tay said. "For example, to what extent is it viewed as an
investment, and does that vary among careers?"

Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished.Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Disclaimer - All information and content on this site are for information and educational purposes only. The information should not be used for either diagnosis or treatment or both for any health related problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician for medical diagnosis and treatment.Full Disclaimer